Army Chief Orders Troops to Shoot Bandits and Terrorists on Sight
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has directed Nigerian troops to adopt a shoot-on-sight approach against armed bandits and terrorists encountered during military operations, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to intensifying the fight against insecurity across the country.
The directive was issued during an operational engagement with troops, where the Army Chief stressed the need for decisive action against criminal elements threatening Nigeria’s peace, security, and territorial integrity.
According to the Army Chief, soldiers must remain vigilant, aggressive, and professional while carrying out operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other armed groups responsible for violent attacks in different parts of the country.
He commended troops for their sacrifices and resilience in ongoing counter-insurgency and internal security operations, urging them to sustain the momentum until criminal networks are dismantled and affected communities are restored to safety.
The Army leadership also reaffirmed its commitment to providing personnel with improved operational equipment, intelligence support, and logistics to enhance mission effectiveness and strengthen national security.
Military authorities maintained that the directive forms part of broader efforts to eliminate criminal hideouts, protect civilian populations, and deny terrorists and bandits the freedom to operate within Nigeria’s borders.
The renewed offensive comes as security agencies continue coordinated operations against insurgents and armed criminal groups in several regions, with the military expressing confidence that sustained pressure will significantly degrade their operational capabilities.
